Appendix A

ANSELM 2015 Minutes Annual Stated Meeting of Anselm Presbytery Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches , September 16-17, 2015

September 16 Presiding Minister Bogumil Jarmulak gaveled the meeting to order at 9:05 am, and reviewed the agenda.

I. Invocation by Pastor San Sanych

II. Psalm Singing led by Pastor Dave Hatcher (Psalm 100)

III. Scriptural Exhortation by Pastor Chris Wilson Chris Wilson spoke about the differences and difficulties in a pastor's vocation compared to other careers. He gave three exhortations: look to your calling, take care of yourselves (take time apart, find a good friend), and to endure.

IV. Roll Call and Establishment of a Quorum 1. Christ Covenant Church, Eagle Point, OR (absent) 2. Christ Covenant Church – Langley, BC Pastor Garry Vanderveen 3. Christ Covenant Church/Redeemer – Lynnwood, WA Pastor Dean Hellekson 4. Christian Evangelical Reformed Church: Testament of Grace – Mykolaiv, Ukraine Pastor Volodymyr Mykyta

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5. Christ the King Church – Eugene, OR Pastor Flynn Ayers 6. Covenant Bible Church – Chugiak, AK Pastor Jack Phelps 7. Reformed Church: Holy Trinity – Dunaivtsi, Ukraine Pastor Alexander Pavlyuk, Elder Yuriy Lukovy 8. Evangelical Reformed Church – Poznan, Pastor Bogumil Jarmulak 9. Evangelical Reformed Church – Wroclaw, Poland Pastor Sebastian Smolarz 10. Mitaka Evangelical Church – Tokyo, Japan Pastor Ralph Smith 11. Presbyterian Reformed Church – Burgas, Bulgaria (absent) 12. Reformation Covenant Church – Oregon City, OR Pastor Chris Wilson 13. Rivne Biblical Church – Rivne, Ukraine Pastors San Sanych and Yuriy Lishchinski 14. Trinity Church – Kirkland, WA Pastor Dave Hatcher

V. Introduction of Guests and Visitors

Pastor San Sanych introduced: Alla Orlova-Koshchavka, Rivne, Ukraine Pastor Ihor and Tanya Lishchynsky, Rivne mission church Reformed Church of Ivano- Frankivsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine Alexander and Bethany Barendregt, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada Pastor Herman Pan’ko, Missioner of Evangelical Reformed Church in Kam’ianets’- Podil’s’kyi, Ukraine

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Pastor Sergey Shinder - Evangelical Reformed Church: God’s Love, Khmel’nyts’kyi, Ukraine Micaiah Vanderveen, Christ Covenant Church, Langley, Canada Pastor Pavel Petrov, planting Rivne mission Reformed Church: God’s Covenant, Korosten, Ukraine Deacon Yuriy Shapovalov, Reformed Church: Holy Trinity, Dunaivtsi, Ukraine

PM Bogumil Jarmulak invited mission church representatives to sit at the table.

VI. Member Reports 1. Christ Covenant Church – Eagle Point, OR Pastor Flynn Ayers (pro tem elder) gave a brief report for absent Pastor Kenny Anderson. Pastor Garry Vanderveen prayed.

2. Christ Covenant Church – Langley, BC Pastor Garry Vanderveen gave the report. Pastor Dean Hellekson prayed.

3. Redeemer Church – Lynnwood, WA Pastor Dean Hellekson gave the report. Pastor Volodymyr Mykyta prayed.

4. Christian Evangelical Reformed Church: Testament of Grace – Mykolaiv, Ukraine Pastor Volodymyr Mykyta gave the report. Pastor Flynn Ayers prayed.

5. Christ the King Church – Eugene, OR Pastor Flynn Ayers gave the report. Pastor Jack Phelps prayed.

6. Covenant Bible Church – Chugiak, AK Pastor Jack Phelps gave the report. Pastor Alexander Pavlyuk prayed.

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7. Holy Trinity Reformed Church of Dunaivtsi – Dunaivtsi, Ukraine Pastor Alexander Pavlyuk gave the report. Pastor Bogumil Jarmulak prayed.

8. Evangelical Reformed Church – Poznan, Poland Pastor Bogumil Jarmulak gave the report. Pastor Sebastian Smolarz prayed.

9. Evangelical Reformed Church – Wroclaw, Poland Pastor Sebastian Smolarz gave the report. Pastor Ralph Smith prayed.

10. Mitaka Evangelical Church – Tokyo, Japan Pastor Ralph Smith gave the report. Pastor Bogumil Jarmulak prayed.

11. Presbyterian Reformed Church – Burgas, Bulgaria Pastor Bogumil Jarmulak gave a brief update on the church and on the Stara Zagora mission in Pastor Yavor Rusinov's absence. Pastor Chris Wilson prayed.

12. Reformation Covenant Church – Oregon City, OR Pastor Chris Wilson gave the report. Pastor San Sanych prayed.

13. Rivne Biblical Church – Rivne, Ukraine Pastor San Sanych gave the report. Pastor Dave Hatcher prayed.

14. Trinity Church – Kirkland, WA Pastor Dave Hatcher gave the report. Pastor Flynn Ayers prayed.

Presiding Minister Bogumil Jarmulak recessed the meeting from 11:10-11:30.

VII. Updates on Current Candidate and Mission Churches Not Being Considered for Full Membership

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1. Reformed Evangelical Church, Diósd Mission, Hungary Mission Church of Evangelical Reformed Church, Poznan Pastor Attila Hajdú gave a report on the progress and growth of the mission. Pastor Pawel Bartosik prayed.

2. Evangelical Reformed Church, Gdansk, Poland Mission Church of Evangelical Reformed Church, Wroclaw Pastor Pawel Bartosik gave a report on the progress and growth of the mission. Pastor Ihor Lishchynsky prayed.

3. Reformed Church of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine Mission Church of Rivne Biblical Church, Rivne, Ukraine Pastor San Sanych gave the report in English for Pastor Ihor Lishchynsky who was present. Pastor Jack Phelps prayed.

4. Grace Covenant Church, Gibsons, BC Mission Church of Grande Prairie, Alberta No written report was submitted, but Pastor Jack Phelps gave a short update. Pastor Jerry Owens prayed.

5. Emmanuel Church, Kenmore, WA Mission Church of Trinity Church, Kirkland, WA Pastor Jerry Owens gave the report. Pastor Attila Hajdú prayed.

6. Reformed Church: God's Covenant, Korosten Ukraine Mission Church of Rivne Biblical Church, Rivne, Ukraine Pastor San Sanych talked about Korosten, a town of about 8,000 between Rivne and Kyiv, for Pastor Pavel Petrov who was present. Pastor San Sanych prayed.

VIII. Consideration of Candidate and Mission Churches for CREC Membership

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1. Evangelical Reformed Church, Mohylev, Belarus Sponsoring Church: Rivne Biblical Church, Rivne, Ukraine Pastor San Sanych introduced Pastor Serhyi Udaliov and gave a background on the church in Belarus. The country is the last post-Soviet dictatorship and still functions like a Soviet state. It is impossible to get a US visa inside the country. Pastor Serhyi Udaliov works as a plumber and it is especially hard for him to get time off during the late fall. Pastor Bogumil Jarmulak mentioned his own trips to Belarus and a small conference held there. Pastor Serhyi Udaliov said they use the Belgic confession, have one deacon, one elder, and a pastor with 16 members. One member would like to help start a church in Brest or become a second elder (there are only two other Reformed churches in Belarus). They have their own constitution but it is not registered with the government (it is impossible in Belarus). Discussion.

Pastor Dave Hatcher asked if the church constitution was available in English and for clarification on whether this was a requirement of the CREC constitution. The constitution is available.

Pastor Jack Phelps brought up the fact that churches are supposed to be self-sustaining in the CREC. Does the church pay the pastor anything? Pastor Sanych said the majority of budget goes towards the difficult rent and the rest goes to support other church needs. Pastor Jack Phelps talked about a minister being worthy of his hire (Levitical law referenced by St. Paul in the NT) and said it was a problem that needs to be addressed. Pastor San Sanych explained the context in Belarus where priests are used to only preaching for money and how Pastor Serhyi Udaliov has refused on principle. Pastor Dave Hatcher mentioned Paul being glad he didn't take money in certain contexts. Pastor Jack Phelps thought it was important that people should address it in the church as a long term plan.

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Pastor Jack Phelps moved to accept Evangelical Reformed Church, Mohylev, as a new member church. Pastor Dave Hatcher seconded, discussion, PM Bogumil Jarmulak called for the vote. Approved (13:0:0).

PM Bogumil Jarmulak read the oath and Pastor Serhyi Udaliov swore for himself and the officers of his church. Evangelical Reformed Church, Mohylev, was received. Pastor Vanderveen prayed.

IX. Seating of New Candidate Churches and Introduction of New Mission Churches

1. Evangelical Church Golgotha, Rivne, Ukraine Mission church of Rivne Biblical Church, Rivne, Ukraine Pastor San Sanych introduced Pastor Sergey Terentyev and gave background and history of Pastor Sergey Terentyev in his own journey and political activism. Since Pastor Sergey Terentyev was ordained five years ago, the church has slowly turned towards more Reformed thinking and liturgical worship. Golgotha currently subscribes to the 2Nd Belgic confession and is probably moving towards paedo-baptism and communion. Two younger men serve in elder duties but still need to be installed. The church currently functions congregationally and has 32 adult members and 12 kids. Discussion.

Pastor Phelps noted that at least one elder from a CREC church has to be on the mission church's session and the mother church must approve their constitution. Pastor San Sanych said this would be taken care of. Pastor Ralph Smith and Pastor Alexander Pavlyuk spoke of their time with Pastor Sergey Terentyev and hoped the establishment of Golgotha as a mission church would provide them with support toward candidacy. Pastor Jack Phelps clarified that the CREC does not require an act of presbytery for a church to become a mission church. The mission only needs to have a constitution and a pro tempore session of elders appointed by the

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sponsoring CREC church (BOP Article IV).

2. Covenant Reformed Church, Fairbanks, Alaska Mission of Covenant Bible Church, Chugiak. Pastor Jack Phelps said Covenant Reformed Church is the first Reformed congregation in Fairbanks. He asked for prayers of thanksgiving for the new, bi-vocational pastor, Michael Shover, and his wife Ivette. Prayers are needed also for the sale of their house in PA so they can move and start working with the 5 families in Fairbanks.

3. Reformed Church of St. Andrew, Pidgaychyky, Ukraine Sponsoring Church: Rivne Biblical Church, Rivne, Ukraine Pastor Sanych introduced Pastor Volodymyr Yakubovskiy and the church's history. They have two additional elders and a close connection with the Ivano-Frankivsk church. They have a strong Reformed ministry and liturgy and a Presbyterian form of church government. They have their church documents and use the Westminster Standards. They already practice paedo-communion and baptism with their 5 families and 20 members.

Pastor Jack Phelps asked about exceptions to the Westminster Standards and Catechisms and said these would have to be written before the church could become a full member.

Pastor San Sanych made a motion to accept Reformed Church of St. Andrew as a candidate church. Pastor Ralph Smith seconded. Discussion. PM Bogumil Jarmulak called for the vote. Approved (13:0:0).

X. Mission Commission report Discussion about usefulness, purpose, and limitations. A vote on this item was deferred so that language could be drafted for the body to consider. Pastor Jack Phelps was asked to draft the motion.

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XI. Same Sex Marriage Committee report Discussion postponed.

XII. Anselm PM report Received. No action.

XIII. Council PM report Postponed.

XIV. Election of Anselm delegates for 2017 CREC Council Postponed.

XV. Location/Date of Anselm Presbytery Meeting in 2016

Pastor Dave Hatcher made a motion that the next CREC Anselm Presbytery meeting be held in Seattle and hosted by Trinity Reformed Church (Kirkland) the week of October 11-13, 2016. Pastor San Sanych seconded. Approved (13:0:0).

Pastor Dave Hatcher led the singing of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

Recessed 1:40pm

September 17 PM Bogumil Jarmulak called the meeting to order 8:35 am. Pastor Dave Hatcher led the singing of Psalm 21. Pastor Chris Wilson prayed.

Mission Commission Report Revisited Pastor Jack Phelps presented:

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Resolution The Sense of Presbytery – Anselm Regarding the Work of the Council Commission on Mission:

1. Anselm Presbytery appreciates the work of the Commission and commends it for its interim report. We are especially thankful for and supportive of the expression of the mission mandate and principles set forth in the report. We find those parts of the interim report to be Biblical and consistent with the ecclesiastical position and practice of the CREC.

2. With respect to the Guidelines, Anselm Presbytery is in general agreement with the items enumerated in the interim report. We would, however, encourage the commission to include language that encourages cooperation between two or more churches within each presbytery to establish, promote, and support mission endeavors in both domestic and overseas venues in ways similar to the Joint Eastern European Project (JEEP) that has been functioning in Anselm Presbytery for the past several years. Such cooperation would include the tasks of vetting mission endeavors, establishing and maintaining financial accountability, and promoting communication between overseas missions and CREC congregations.

3. Anselm Presbytery also requests that the Commission's final report explain how its guidelines will be incorporated into the CREC official documents (BOP, Memorials, or other?).

Respectfully submitted, Anselm Presbytery September 17, 2015

Pastor Jack Phelps moved that this resolution be sent to the Mission Commission as representing the opinion of Anselm Presbytery. Pastor San Sanych seconded. Approved (13:0:0).

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Same Sex Marriage Committee Report

Pastor Phelps explained that the Same Sex Marriage committee had determined 1) the need for language in the constitution that will provide some protection for CREC churches, and 2) since the matter has been moving so fast in the public debate, it doesn’t seem wise to wait until Council 2017. The PM of Council has requested that all presbyteries approve calling an ad hoc meeting of Council. Discussion.

Pastor Jack Phelps moved that Anselm Presbytery request CREC Presiding Minister Douglas Wilson to convene an ad hoc meeting of Council for the purpose of amending the CREC Constitution to address the issues of gender, sexuality, and marriage in the light of the current same-sex “marriage” controversy and the Obergefell ruling. Pastor Dave Hatcher seconded. Approved (13:0:0).

Council PM Report

PM Bogumil Jarmulak explained that 5 major points would be discussed.

Pastor Ralph Smith moved that Anselm approve the appointments in the PM report. Seconded, Approved (13:0:0).

Discussion on whether a committee should be appointed to discuss the publication of certain documents.

Pastor Dave Hatcher moved that Anselm Presbytery tell the Presiding Minister that we approve the appointment of a committee to deal with the document issue. Ralph Smith seconded. Approved (13:0:0).

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PM of Council Wilson has requested approval from the presbyteries on a proposed amendment to BOP Article XIV.4, adding language to read as follows: If a pastor or elder of CREC church retires or resigns his office in the church, the session of that local church may make a written request to the Presiding Minister of Council for an exception to the list serve rule in our BoP so that the man in question may remain on the CREC list serve. The decision to do so shall be at the discretion of the Presiding Minister of Council.

Pastor Jack Phelps explained the list serve codification and its original intention for CREC elders currently serving on a CREC session. Most pastors were comfortable with retaining retired men on the list, but not those who merely resigned. Pastor Bogumil Jarmulak suggested striking “resigned” from the wording and adding that approval or disapproval is needed from the presbytery PM also be needed to keep men or take men off the list. More discussion.

Pastor Ralph Smith moved that we reject the proposal. Pastor Dave Hatcher seconded. Approved (13:0:0).

Discussion on the Statement in response to the Obergefell decision. Pastor Dave Hatcher moved that we approve the statement of the PM of Council regarding the Obergefell decision. Pastor Flynn Ayers seconded. Approved (13:0:0).

CREC Logo PM Bogumil Jarmulak explained that everyone should grade the logos and then handed out ballots. Discussion. PM Bogumil Jarmulak asked Pastor Garry Vanderveen to tally the votes. PM Bogumil Jarmulak gave the vote results. Logo #1 most approved (29 votes) Logos #2 and #3 received an equal number of votes. (36 votes) Logo #4 was disliked the most (45 votes)

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Election of Anselm delegates for 2017 CREC Council Pastor Garry Vanderveen and Pastor Jack Phelps were nominated. PM Bogumil Jarmulak closed nominations. PM Bogumil Jarmulak asked for a vote to appoint Pastors Garry Vanderveen and Jack Phelps as Anselm Presbytery's delegates to the CREC Council. Approved (13:0:0).

XVI. Election of new Presiding Ministers of Anselm 1. Candidate for PM: Pastor Jack Phelps 2. Candidate for PM pro tempore: Pastor Bogumil Jarmulak

A vote was called on the proposed slate. Approved (13:0:0).

XVII. Appreciation The body expressed appreciation for the efforts of Pastors Smith and Smolarz to prepare lectures on the Synoptic Problem for this year’s study period.

XVIII. Closing Psalm Singing and Prayer Pastor Dave Hatcher led the group in singing “Jesus Shall Reign.” Pastor Jack Phelps closed in prayer. Pastor Dave Hatcher made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Pastor Garry Vanderveen seconded. Approved (13:0:0).

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